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K- KNOW Your Triggers
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O- Optimize Your Response

Prevention Strategies

IgE-mediated food allergies

  • Early introduction of allergenic foods (between 4–6 months of age) may reduce risk
  • Avoid cow’s milk in the first 3 days of life
  • Exclusive breastfeeding for 3–4 months may reduce eczema and asthma, though not food allergies
  • Genetic and environmental factors play a role; children from allergic families are at higher risk

Non-IgE mediated food allergies

While prevention is less defined than for IgE-mediated allergies, general recommendations include:

  • Breastfeeding: may reduce risk of some allergic conditions
  • Avoid early exposure to known allergens in high-risk infants
  • Introduce allergenic foods gradually under guidance, especially in families with a history of allergies
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MYTHS about Allergies

Myth 1: All food reactions are allergies

Fact: Not all adverse reactions to food are allergies.

  • Food intolerance (e.g., lactose intolerance) affects digestion and does not involve the immune system.
  • IgE-mediated allergies, on the other hand, involve the immune system producing antibodies that trigger symptoms like hives, swelling, or anaphylaxis.

Myth 2: Only children get food allergies

Fact: Food allergies can develop at any age.

  • Nearly 45% of adults report first-time allergic reactions in adulthood.
  • Shellfish allergies are more common in adults than children.

Myth 3: Peanut allergies are the most dangerous

Fact: Any food allergen can cause severe reactions.

  • While peanuts are a common trigger, milk, eggs, tree nuts, shellfish, and wheat can also cause life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Myth 4: Reactions always get worse with each exposure

Fact: Severity of reactions is unpredictable.

  • A mild reaction one time doesn’t guarantee the next will be mild.
  • Every exposure carries risk, and anaphylaxis can occur unexpectedly.

Myth 5: Smelling an allergen can trigger anaphylaxis

Fact: Smell alone typically does not cause allergic reactions.

  • Peanuts and many other allergens do not aerosolize, meaning they don’t float in the air.
  • However, steam from cooking shellfish has been reported to cause reactions in rare cases.

Myth 6: A positive allergy test means you have a food allergy

Fact: Tests can show sensitization, not necessarily clinical allergy.

  • False positives are common in IgE blood tests and skin prick tests.
  • Diagnosis should be based on clinical history and confirmed with an oral food challenge under medical supervision.

Myth 7: IgE-mediated allergies are always lifelong

Fact: Some allergies can be outgrown.

  • Children may outgrow allergies to milk, eggs, soy, and wheat.
  • Allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish are more likely to persist.

Myth 8: Anaphylaxis can be treated with antihistamines

Fact: Epinephrine is the only first-line treatment for anaphylaxis.

  • Antihistamines may help with mild symptoms but cannot stop anaphylaxis.
  • Delay in epinephrine administration increases risk of fatal outcomes.

IgE-Mediated Food Allergies: Myths vs Facts

Myth 1: All food reactions are allergies

Myth : Any reaction after eating is an allergy.

Fact: Food intolerances (like lactose intolerance) affect digestion and do not involve the immune system.

Myth 2: Only children get food allergies

Myth : Food allergies only affect kids.

Fact: Food allergies can develop at any age—even in adulthood.

Myth 3: Peanut allergies are the most dangerous

Myth : Only peanuts cause severe reactions.

Fact: Any allergenic food—milk, eggs, shellfish—can cause life-threatening anaphylaxis.

Myth 4: Reactions always get worse with each exposure

Myth : Each allergic reaction is worse than the last.

Fact: Severity is unpredictable; even mild past reactions can lead to anaphylaxis.

Myth 5: Smelling an allergen can trigger anaphylaxis

Myth : Just smelling peanuts can cause a severe reaction.

Fact: Most allergens don’t aerosolize. Smell alone rarely causes reactions, except in rare cases like shellfish steam.

Myth 6: A positive allergy test means you have a food allergy

Myth : If a test is positive, you're allergic.

Fact: Tests show sensitization, not necessarily clinical allergy. Diagnosis needs history and food challenge.

Myth 7: IgE-mediated allergies are always lifelong

Myth : You’ll never outgrow a food allergy.

Fact: Some allergies—like milk or egg—can be outgrown, especially in children.

Myth 8: Anaphylaxis can be treated with antihistamines

Myth : Antihistamines are enough for severe reactions.

Fact: Epinephrine is the only first-line treatment for anaphylaxis. Antihistamines can't stop it.